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Agency fines men for burning dozens of dead cows, sheep
| Wednesday, Apr 16 2008 4:07 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, Apr 17 2008 7:43 AM
Two Kern County landowners have paid more than $11,000 in fines for burning dead cattle and sheep on two occasions in 2006.
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Jesus and Micaela Orozco owned land in Buttonwillow where firefighters and air inspectors found the smoldering remains of animals in April and June 2006.
The violation was recently settled following negotiations between the Orozcos and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, according to Brenda Turner, an air district spokeswoman.
Between 50 and 100 carcasses were found in a 5 feet by 50 feet trench, according to the violation.
Burning animals is not allowed in the San Joaquin Valley because of the smell and the particulate matter it creates, which contributes to unhealthy air pollution.
It was unclear if the animals were from local farms or if they were brought to Kern County from elsewhere, Turner said.
Most dairies have an arrangement to send dead cattle to rendering plants because they can’t be burned in the open, she said.
The Orozcos could not be reached for comment.